About Alison McRae

DIRECTOR

Alison specialises in resolving workplace conflict for parties in dispute, whether that conflict is beginning to simmer or is at the formal level of a complaint to an independent government body specialising in the investigation of corruption.

Her conflict resolution expertise extends across workplace reviews, facilitated discussions, mediation, workplace investigations and their independent reviews.

Alison conducts workplace reviews across teams and whole organisations, identifying systemic issues, including structural and cultural concerns, and provides clients with clear, pragmatic advice and solutions.

Drawing on Alison’s unique skill set, including interviewing, policy analysis, data analysis, as well as strategic management expertise, clients state that her reports provide clear guidance for interventions that are workable, practical and are straightforward to immediately implement. 

Alison is an experienced and reliable facilitator of difficult and tense discussions as well as a nationally accredited mediator of workplace conflict, following the facilitative mediation model of practice. Having completed her studies with the Queensland University of Technology, Alison is a member of and accredited as a mediator with the Resolution Institute in Queensland.

Using her extensive experience, Alison employs transparent and thorough workplace investigation processes while maintaining a sensitive and insightful investigative approach. Alison regularly prepares findings of fact in relation to allegations of misconduct, sexual harassment, conflicts of interest, discrimination, and other breaches of the relevant code of conduct or applicable policy.

Alison’s workplace investigation processes and reports are clearly and logically documented and highly defensible. As a result, Alison conducts independent investigation reviews at an expert level, and compares against best-practice standards.

Alison works to effectively communicate and manage her relationships with key stakeholders at all organisational levels. Her work spans a wide range of both public and private sector clients across Australia.

A skilled writer and communicator, Alison has developed and delivered tailored training programs and workshops and drafted and led organisation-wide reviews of policies, procedures, and processes. 

Before commencing as a private consultant and then co-founding Farren McRae Workplace Lawyers and Consultants, Alison worked in the education sector for 15 years across Queensland and Tasmania. Beginning in the Tasmanian Department of Education’s investigations unit, Alison investigated and managed employee, parent, and student complaints regarding misconduct, bullying and discrimination.

Alison then went on to work in various roles in the public and private sectors, first in Tasmania and then in Queensland, working up to the national level. During her impressive career, Alison has amassed extensive specialist and management experience guiding policy and compliance issues in both the private and public sectors at the state and national levels.

Alison is a nationally accredited mediator and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Alison currently serves on the Queensland Advisory Committee of SecondBite.

Qualifications & Memberships

• Nationally Accredited Mediator

• Graduate Member of the Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors

• Member of the Resolution Institute
• Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute
• Licenced Private Investigator
• Certification III Investigative Services
• Prince 2 Practitioner Certificate in Project Management
• Prince 2 Foundation Certificate in Project Management
• Bachelor of Commerce (Acc, Fin & BusMan), University of Tasmania

Consulting Service Areas